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“No name calling,” I cut him off. “You’re the one who tried to shoot us with a gun.”

“You will suffer for this outrage. You will all suffer!”

“He does like to talk,” Cupid commented.

“It’s not all talk,” Aspen said. “He’s been known to kill people who annoy him. Well, actually he has his guards kill them while he watches. He likes to watch.”

“Charming,” I said. “How does he literally get away with murder?”

Aspen sighed. “He has friends in high places.”

“You like to hurt people? Do you like to kill them?” Cupid said, leaning down to meet the man’s gaze. “Do you like to pretend that you’re big and powerful?”

“I don’t need to pretend. Iambig and powerful,” he spat in her face. “I hold the fate of this whole world in my hands. That’s why you’re here. You need me. That’s how I knew you’d be back.”

“Sorry to steal your thunder, but actually, you knew we’d be back because I told you so,” I replied.

He glowered at me.

“Well, then, let’s get down to business, shall we?” I set Aspen’s folder on his desk. “You know why we’re here, Mr. Barrens. I think it’s safe to say that we all want us to be out of here as quickly as possible, so could youpleasejust do your job and sign Aspen’s papers?”

He spat a string of curses at me.

I looked at Cupid. “What is a ‘sparkle-eyed angel duster’?”

“A poorly-executed insult?” she suggested.

“Indeed,” I agreed, then looked at the man. “Seriously, dude, if you’re going to insult me, at least do it properly.”

My helpful suggestion only made Mr. Barrens angrier. He struggled and thrashed, pulling on his arm. The arrow dissolved. He clutched his uninjured hand for a moment, like he couldn’tbelieve his luck. Then he jumped over the desk, running for the door.

“Oh, for crying out loud,” Cupid said, notching an arrow. “Making such a scene and such a mess.” She shot him in the back.

He froze in his tracks, standing perfectly still for almost a minute.

Finally, I whispered, “Is he just stuck there?”

“For as long as I want him to be, yes,” Cupid replied.

Mr. Barrens turned around slowly, drawn to the sound of her voice. The fight in his eyes was gone. When they fell upon Cupid, his mouth lifted into a dopey smile.

I walked up to him. “He certainly looks docile.” I tapped him lightly on the forearm, and he very nearly tipped over. “Whoa, how strong did you make that arrow?” I asked Cupid.

“Strong,” she replied. “You did say these people are resistant to magic.”

I looked on as the arrogant, belligerent Mr. Barrens gave Cupid googly eyes. “But notyourmagic clearly.”

The man licked his lips, eyes still glued on Cupid.

“Ooh, he really loooves you,” I laughed.

“Lucky me,” Cupid said in her usual dry tone.

Aspen watched Mr. Barrens jump up and down to get Cupid’s attention. “Remarkable. Making someone sleepy is one thing, but this is something else entirely. You have him completely under your spell.”

Mr. Barrens chose that very moment to try to kiss Cupid. She sidestepped, and he tripped over his chair.

“That’s my girl Cupid, spreading love and joy wherever she goes,” I chuckled.